April 8, 2355.
Adriana Barbora Tsetse turned fifteen years old.
And then...
"Father, I finally did it!"
"Oh, really? You did it, Ado!"
This was the challenge Adriana and Shuuki had spent the past year tackling. It concerned the control systems of golems and automata.
Up until then, it was standard practice to teach golems and automata their movements after they were built—much like raising a human infant.
However, at an early stage, the magi craftsmen under Shuuki’s tutelage had learned to construct unique control systems, mastering techniques that allowed them to bypass teaching everything from scratch. These golems could perform basic movements like standing, walking, stopping, and sitting by default, as well as applied actions like raising or lowering arms, kicking, running, punching, lifting, and throwing objects.
But what Adriana meant by "did it" was on an entirely different level. It was a method to transfer an almost complete control system from one golem to another.
As for the specifics...
"So, you're saying you read the control system of a golem that's already operational?" Shuuki asked.
"Yeah. Read Info happens too fast to track, so I developed a new spell of Craft Magic. I've named it Decompile."
"I see. And you perform a Write In while referencing that data?"
"Exactly. And here's the best part: I can Write In to multiple control cores at the same time."
The effort required for Write In was the same whether she was targeting one core or a hundred. The only difference was that the mana consumption scaled with the number of units. For someone with Adriana's capacity, performing a Write In on three hundred control cores was a simple task.
"For now, if I prepare them a hundred at a time, the work will be so much easier."
"Indeed. This is a massive leap forward."
Increasing efficiency by several dozen times was a monumental achievement. Furthermore, if one took the time for meticulous handiwork, they could still produce one-off custom models.
This breakthrough was the catalyst for Garakuro Town becoming known as "Golem Town." The golem industry flourished there. Nearly half of Shuuki’s disciples became golem technicians and began producing a wide variety of units.
It was during this period that the title "Golem Expert" was established. The one recognized as the "Supreme Golem Expert" was Shuuki’s disciple, Carla. Since arriving in town, her talents had blossomed rapidly, and her name became known across the region—eventually reaching even the capital, Karnag.
As for Adriana...
"Father, how are you feeling today?"
"Ah, I'm feeling quite a bit better today."
"Good. I'm glad."
Her primary focus was supporting Shuuki, whose health had been declining frequently of late. As a result, all the public honor and recognition went to Carla. Adriana, however, didn't mind in the least.
"The place I'm aiming for is still far, far beyond this," she would say, never hesitating to declare her ambition.
"Hmm... there's still something missing if I want to merge Decompile and Write In into a single process."
Adriana wrestled with the problem day and night. If she could execute both simultaneously, the burden on the caster would be drastically reduced. Yet even for someone as brilliant as her, the solution remained elusive.
"Maybe I need to put something between Decompile and Write In..."
Her intuition was spot on. In the terminology of computers, she was looking for an interface. However, because such technology had still been a thing of dreams in Shuuki’s original world, he hadn't been able to teach her the concept. It was only natural that she didn't know the word.
"Ugh, if I can't Write In what I've Decompiled directly, then I just need to convert it into a format that works..."
She agonized over this for days.
"I just can't get the Decompiled magi-formula to Write In..."
Worried about her, Shuuki offered a different kind of advice.
"Ado, when you're stuck, your perspective narrows. Sometimes, if you step away and try something else for a while, a solution will present itself."
Adriana knew her father was genuinely concerned.
"Okay, Father. Thank you."
Listening to him, she decided to put her work aside and go for a walk with him. The two strolled along a path that wound through a sparse woodland, the trees standing at wide intervals.
"Say, Ado."
"Yes, Father?"
"You're fifteen now. Well... is there... anyone you like?"
Shuuki’s voice wavered as he broached the awkward subject.
"There is," she replied.
"What?! W-Who is it?!" Shuuki’s tone spiked instantly.
"You, Father."
His shoulders slumped at the answer.
"Ado, please... maybe when you were a child, but you're fifteen now..."
Before he could finish, Adriana stopped and looked him straight in the eyes.
"I know I'm your adopted daughter."
"What?"
For Shuuki, it was a bolt from the blue.
"A long time ago. Ever since I was nine or ten, I've known. I overheard you talking. I even know what happened to the village where I was born."
"You..."
Adriana gave him a soft, gentle smile and bowed her head.
"Thank you, Father. Thank you for saving me. Thank you for taking me in as your daughter. Thank you for raising me."
"Ado..."
When she looked up, her eyes were shimmering with tears.
"Thank you for loving me as your 'daughter.'"
"I see. You knew all along..." Shuuki smiled, though he looked a little lonely.
"I, well... Ado..."
"I know," she said. "I know you still love the other Adriana... the one I was named after. But..."
She trailed off, her cheeks flushing as she spoke her next words.
"I want you to be even happier, Father. No, I want us to be happy together. Not just as father and daughter."
"Adriana..."
Having said her piece, she quickly turned away.
"Ehehe, I guess I really am tired. I never intended to tell you that. I was going to keep those feelings locked in my heart forever."
She kept her face hidden, but she reached out and linked her arm with his.
"Forget what I just said. I'm perfectly happy being your daughter forever. I'm going to stay with you always, after all. I'm never getting married."
Adriana clung tightly to his arm. In that quiet manner, the two continued their walk.
Three days later, Adriana finally completed Trans Info.